Does a Night Guard Help Sleep?
May 23, 2023
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A night guard is a dental tool recommended for people experiencing low-quality sleep. This poor sleep is often due to grinding or clenching their teeth at night, snoring, or having headaches due to jaw tension or joint disorders like TMJ (temporomandibular). A night guard relaxes and comforts your jaw and protects your teeth while sleeping. They provide several benefits. For example, they protect teeth from wear and tear. They also reduce pain and discomfort caused by TMJ disorders.
Additionally, they prevent sleep disruptions caused by sleep apnea. Wearing a night guard while sleeping can also improve sleep quality and quantity. If you suffer from poor sleep, try a night guard from Orthodontic Arts and finally get a good night’s rest.
How Does a Night Guard Work?
A dental night guard, worn on top or bottom teeth, is a protective barrier. It cushions your teeth and protects them from any grinding or clenching pressure, redistributing pressure to help prevent tooth damage, jaw pain, and sleep interruptions.
How Do I Know if My Night Guard Fits Properly?
Your orthodontist can ensure your guard fits right and adjust it if not. Wearing it regularly and changing it as needed will keep it in its best shape for your teeth. A well-fitting guard should feel comfortable and not cause any pain or irritation. It should stay securely in place throughout the night without slipping or shifting from the teeth. The guard should also align with your bite, allowing your teeth to rest naturally.
If you experience persistent discomfort or soreness or notice wear on the guard or your teeth, consult your dentist to adjust or replace it.
Does a Night Guard Help with Snoring?
Yes, a guard can help with snoring, especially if the snoring is because of sleep bruxism or teeth clenching. By providing a cushioning effect and reducing the pressure on the jaw and airway, the guard can minimize the vibrations and narrowing contributing to snoring. Additionally, a guard promotes better airflow during sleep, potentially alleviating snoring associated with other disorders.
Does a Night Guard Stop Teeth Grinding?
A guard serves as a protective barrier, absorbing the impact of pressure, preventing damage to the teeth, and reducing jaw aches. A properly fitted night guard, like the ones made by the Orthodontic Arts team in Oklahoma City, provides a comfortable cushioning effect, discouraging the clenching habit and helping your jaw muscles relax.
Teeth Grinding in Sleep
Teeth grinding can have various causes, including stress, anxiety, misaligned teeth, or an abnormal bite. It can also be associated with certain medical conditions, such as sleep disorders or temporomandibular joint disorders.
What Causes Teeth Grinding?
The exact cause may differ from person to person. However, wearing a guard can help protect the teeth, alleviate jaw aches, and minimize snoring in everyone.
What Does Grinding Your Teeth Do?
The repetitive clenching and grinding motions can lead to face, neck, and shoulder pain and a painful jaw. It can also contribute to temporomandibular joint disorders, causing discomfort and limited jaw movement.
Teeth grinding can also result in broken or chipped teeth, increased sensitivity, and headaches. In addition to that, it can disturb your sleep and lead to fatigue, anxiety, stress, and depression.
How to Stop Teeth Grinding
If you want to stop teeth grinding, address the underlying causes and find effective strategies for them. First, try to identify and manage any stress or anxiety triggers. Practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation. Avoid stimulating substances like caffeine and alcohol, especially before bedtime. Establish a soothing bedtime routine and create a sleep-friendly environment.
If it persists, consult a dental professional who can provide a custom guard to protect your teeth and alleviate pain. They may also recommend therapies like physical therapy, stress management, or medication in severe cases.
How to Treat TMJ & TMD
Treating temporomandibular joint disorders involves a comprehensive approach to relieve symptoms and improve jaw function. Starting small, professionals usually recommend tricks like applying moist heat or cold packs to the affected area, avoiding hard or chewy foods, practicing gentle jaw exercises, and taking over-the-counter pain relievers.
The next step for an orthodontist, like Orthodontic Arts in OKC, may be to use a custom-made overnight retainer or splint. This device helps stabilize the jaw, reduce muscle tension, and promote proper alignment of the temporomandibular joints. If you have a more severe case, you can consider more advanced treatments like physical therapy, trigger point injections, or surgery. It’s crucial to consult with a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable treatment for your specific disorder.
Does TMD go Away?
TMD can vary in duration and severity. In some cases, its symptoms may resolve independently without specific treatment. However, for others, it can get worse and cause other issues.
Seeking professional help from a dentist or specialist experienced in these disorders is crucial for an accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
Depending on the individual, various treatment options can help manage the symptoms, promote healing, relieve pain, and improve jaw function.
What are Mouth Guards For?
Mouth guards are dental appliances for protecting your teeth and mouth from injury. Athletes commonly wear mouthguards to prevent tooth fractures, jaw dislocation, and soft tissue injuries. But they are useful for non-athletes too.
Does a Mouth Guard Help?
By providing a cushioning effect, mouthguards absorb the impact of force, reducing the associated risks. They also promote better sleep quality.
Do Mouth Guards Help with TMJ?
Mouthguards absorb the force and reduce the impact of the pressure, protecting jawbones and teeth from injury. Additionally, they provide essential support for the muscles and stabilize the jaw to improve alignment.
Visit Orthodontic Arts for a Night Guard
Night guards act as a protective barrier, absorbing the impact of grinding and clenching, preventing tooth damage, and reducing jaw pain. They can also minimize snoring by cushioning the jaw and airway. Overall, wearing a properly fitted night guard improves the quality of life, prevents costly dental damage, and promotes better oral health. Mouth guards, night guards, and overnight retainers are useful tools in improving sleep quality and oral health. A professionally made night guard will be the best fit for your teeth and benefit your help the most. Schedule a consultation with Orthodontic Arts; get better sleep and relieve discomfort.
Orthodontic Arts, your number one Orthodontist in OKC. Our Certified Orthodontist provides the latest and greatest Orthodontic practices to our clients in the OKC and Midtown area. Orthodontic Arts is the best place for child and teen orthodontics as well as adult orthodontics. Be sure to ask about Invisalign and invisible braces! Contact us today at (405) 604-3745 or request an appointment.